WiFi on aircraft. Photo: Shutterstock Following Emirates' dramatic announcement that it will gradually start to offer free Starlink internet on its fleet, its "little sister" airline, Flydubai, is following suit at the Dubai Airshow.
According to a company announcement published on the second day of the event, starting next year, high-speed Starlink satellite internet from SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, will be offered free of charge on all the company's flights.
Flydubai has signed an agreement with SpaceX to deploy the system across its entire 737 fleet (approximately 100 aircraft), a move aimed at upgrading the passenger experience with fast and stable internet during flights. The system, based on a satellite network, will enable high-bandwidth, low-latency browsing, and support streaming, content viewing, online gaming, and video calling.
The company also says that the move will allow passengers to enjoy continuous and fast connectivity to more than 100 destinations around the world, and to stay connected, work, or enjoy digital content throughout the flight, from takeoff to landing.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of Flydubai: “We are proud to bring Starlink’s cutting-edge technology to our customers. This agreement marks a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to elevate the travel experience, providing fast, reliable internet access across our growing network. Reliable connectivity has become essential, and our partnership with Starlink allows us to meet the evolving expectations of today’s travellers. As we continue to expand our fleet and network, innovation remains at the heart of our strategy."
Yesterday, at the air show, Flydubai announced the selection of GE engines for the Dreamliner (Boeing 787) fleet that is expected to enter service with the company. However, the company did not announce when the first aircraft is expected to enter service.